The maritime industry is at the cutting edge of innovation in science and technology for a wide range of crucial reasons. The most pressing of these is the indisputable fact that the maritime sector is one if not the most important trade and transport sectors in the world. 90% of goods and services make their way by sea at some point in their journey from source to use, making the maritime industry indispensable for successful, continuous global trade and travel.
With advances in technology, science and digital innovation gathering pace across the global marketplace, the maritime industry is employing new thinking across every facet of its practice and performance.
Primary areas for concern and those ripe for innovation and forwarding-thinking are:
- Mitigating negative environmental impacts
- Improving energy efficiency and fuel consumption
- Streamlining repairs, maintenance and vessel upkeep
- Minimising plastic consumption and improving waste management
- Advancing safety and security standards and practices
The maritime industry comprises a multilayered, highly complex and deeply rooted infrastructure, where sometimes important changes can be slow to take hold. The need for innovation across all aspects of the sector cannot be overstated, with some major shifts in behaviours and practices absolutely vital for the continuation of the industry in the face of growing environmental concerns and greater complexities across the world’s rapidly evolving marketplace.
Within this article we’ll be looking at the role underwater marine services play in the maritime industry and how innovations in this area are helping to uplift the sector as a whole; moving towards better, more sustainable practices.
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What are Underwater Marine Services?
Many vessel owners employ the services of a specialist underwater marine services company, to take on their essential maintenance and repairs. Staffed by experienced personnel used to working in difficult and dangerous ocean environments, underwater marine services are repairs and maintenance undertaken at or below the waterline.
Essential maintenance is applicable to all types of ocean-going vessels, ships, rigs and sea transport. A well maintained vessel can mean the difference between a smooth, hassle-free voyage and a catastrophic journey with dire human and environmental impacts.
Safe, sea-worthy vessels are an essential part of the complex infrastructure of the global maritime industry. They mean better and safer environments for seafarers and passengers and a better chance of an uninterrupted supply chain.
Underwater marine services often include:
Hull Cleaning & Propeller Polishing – limiting build up that can impede performance.
Yearly Inspections or Pre-Sale Audits – to help spot potential issues and areas for repair.
Inventories – to create a clear picture of a vessel’s current state of readiness.
Installation or Repair of Navigation Equipment – correctly installing and maintaining essential technology to ensure safe, efficient voyages.
New Innovations in Underwater Marine Services
Vessels that are well maintained, regularly inspected and repaired, are the key to better and more efficient sea transport. They cause fewer negative environmental impacts, are safer to work and travel on and have a longer working lifespan.
Because the marine industry commands such a vital space within global trade, it is important that it continues to plan ahead and innovate across the sector. From dockside handling of goods and better strategies for maintenance to improved fuel efficiency and increased safety for crews.
So what are the most recent innovations in underwater marine services? How can they help to improve the industry and make sea travel and transport better, safer and more efficient?
Some of the most exciting and groundbreaking innovations in marine services using the advances in science, technology and digital media include:
AI, AR and Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs): Some of the most transformative innovations in underwater marine services are the advanced applications of augmented reality for training, AI for improved data analysis and AUVs for accessing complex repairs below the waterline. All of these help to build a better, more complete knowledge base for planning future voyages and simplifying difficult or costly repairs. AUVs and their manned counterparts ROVs are helping to create an underwater marine services revolution by providing unprecedented insights into the underwater world of vessels and rigs.
Environmental Monitoring and Conservation: The wellbeing and sustainability of marine ecosystems are of vital importance. This means that any innovations in underwater marine services must incorporate a focus on environmental impact factors and plans for mitigating damage and contamination and supporting conservation efforts. Some new schemes are incorporating underwater drones that come equipped with environmental sensors to measure and assess water quality, explore and log marine biodiversity, and detect pollution in real-time, all contributing to the protection of fragile and endangered marine ecosystems.
Advanced Imaging Technology: Recent innovations in digital imaging and sensor based tech are contributing to an expansion in our ability to map and log underwater environments, leading to more viable and up-to-date data analysis. This in turn creates an opportunity for better planning and preparation in the field of marine repairs and maintenance, reduced costs for vessel owners and more streamlined systems for ship management firms and underwater marine service providers.
Underwater Robotics: Underwater drones and robots have created new opportunities for underwater exploration and investigation. More reliable and better able to gather and disseminate vital information on the state of vessels and rigs below the waterline, they are creating a safer and more sustainable working environment for specialist underwater marine service practitioners.
These are just a handful of the recent exciting innovations being put to use within the maritime industry to better serve the global shipping sector and ensure its vital continuity.
Final Thoughts
Well maintained and repaired vessels are ones that offer a safer and more secure working environment, result in fewer damaging environmental incidents and have longer more productive lifespans, minimising the need for finite resources.
Underwater marine services are undergoing a period of rapid innovation, transformation and growth. From robotics, drones, AI and AR to increased imaging and mapping of delicate marine ecosystems the many varied facets of underwater marine services are expanding and developing to meet the changing needs of the industry.
